Ford Bronco vs Ford Bronco Sport | Fort Dodge, IA

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Last updated June 27th, 2023
The Ford Bronco. The off-roading vehicle that rivals the Jeep while staying true to Ford as a brand simultaneously. The Ford Bronco is nothing but a masterpiece. It also has a rich and turbulent history that makes the new Bronco models more coveted than ever. A comparison of the current Ford Bronco and Ford Bronco Sport models would only be complete with an understanding of the origins of the Ford Bronco.

Ford Bronco: A Juicy, Controversial History

The Ford Bronco was introduced over half a century ago, in 1966. Initially resembling a Range Rover, it took its shape and style, improving in function too. The available body styles were trendy to consumers throughout the Bronco’s initial lifespan. Five generations of innovation were seen with the Ford Bronco, with constant improvements along the way. It was after this fifth generation that chaos occurred in the Bronco world. After the infamous white Bronco debuted on live TV, the Bronco was discontinued in 1996. It’s debatable whether the Bronco was the only thing that OJ killed…

Ford is nothing if not respectful. After due time following 1995’s tragedy, the Bronco could finally be brought back respectfully. For the 2021 model year, however, Ford revived the Bronco in two forms: the Bronco and the Bronco Sport. These two vehicles are rugged SUVs with modern features and tremendous adventuring capacity. The Bronco Sport is a slightly sized-down version of the Bronco proper, but it still packs quite a performance punch. Fortunately for Bronco enthusiasts, the two and four-door body styles are available now. 

What are the fundamental differences between these two new Broncos, though? Below you’ll find a side-by-side comparison of the two vehicles — we hope to help Ford Dodge, IA residents determine which car is the best fit for them and theirs.

Ford Bronco vs. Ford Bronco Sport: The Ultimate Comparison

New For 2023: Bronco vs Bronco Sport

2023 Ford Bronco

An upgrade to the standard Bronco, the Heritage Edition is an exciting new addition to the Ford Bronco trims available to Fort Dodge buyers. With a classic look and feel, you’ll be taken back to the 1960s when driving it. With 1960s-styled wheels, a white grille, and a white roof, you can see why. The upper trims of the 2023 Ford Bronco have an upgraded Heritage Edition available that comes with Heritage Bronco badging and leather-trimmed plaid seats. The Heritage Edition on all trims makes it nothing but a sweet ride and distinct from the Heritage trims available for the 2023 Bronco Sport. One of the best parts of the Bronco Heritage edition is that it is offered in two-door and four-door body styles.

2023 Bronco Sport

The Heritage Edition and the Heritage Limited Edition are welcome additions to Bronco Sport's available trims. These trims are a nod to vintage Broncos with their build and feel. Both trims are twists of already available trims, the Big Bend and Badlands trims, respectively. Massive 29-inch all-terrain tires are found on the Heritage Limited Edition.

The Black Diamond Off-Roading Package is also available for upper trims of the 2023 Bronco Sport. This adds some sweet graphics to the vehicle. However, it’s about function, not just form. It also adds 17-inch gray wheels and steel bash plates to prepare your car for whatever adventures it awaits.

Powertrain Comparison: Bronco vs. Bronco Sport

There are some critical differences between the powertrains of the Bronco and the Bronco Sport. While most daily drivers may not notice these differences, they can be crucial for off-roading and are applied to the vehicles accordingly. Notably, both the Bronco and the Bronco Sport are offered in manual and automatic transmissions. 

The Ford Bronco comes standard with a beefy turbocharged 2.3L four-cylinder engine that makes 300 horsepower! This can be switched out for an even more powerful 2.7L twin-turbocharged V6 engine that outputs 330 horsepower. Both can be paired with a 10-speed automatic; however, the optional 7-speed manual transmission only works with the 2.3L engine.

The Bronco Sport, being the smaller model, enjoys a turbocharged 1.5L three-cylinder engine as its standard offering. This engine makes 181 horsepower. The alternative is a more powerful turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder that gets 245 ponies. While these engines are less potent than those found on the Bronco proper, they are more than sufficient to send the Bronco Sport flying down the highway and to power it over rough terrain when you take it off the beaten path.

Both of these vehicles can tow. The Ford Bronco has a towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds - the same as one of its main rivals, the Jeep Wrangler - and the Bronco Sport can haul up to 2,200 pounds. That's enough to bring along a pop-up camper or even the family boat for a weekend away from Humboldt, IA.

Chassis: Bronco vs. Bronco Sport

One of the often overlooked, critical differences between the Bronco and the Bronco Sport is the chassis each vehicle sits on. Most trucks sit on a type of chassis called body on frame. Essentially, this means that the car's structure contains the wheels and can roll along on its own without the body — the vehicle's body and frame operate independently of one another. Trucks use this to have unique suspension, and it’s one of the reasons that trucks are favored for off-roading. The Ford Bronco uses body-on-frame construction, giving it a leg up on off-roading capabilities compared to the Ford Bronco Sport.

The Ford Bronco Sport is by no means a slouch when it comes to off-roading, but its construction puts it at a disadvantage compared to the Ford Bronco. It uses a unibody construction. This means there is no independent frame and body, and the vehicle acts as one. Cars today use this type of suspension. Luckily for the Ford Bronco, it benefits from high clearance and several suspension technologies that allow it to be a house for off-roading.

Sleek Exteriors and Interiors in the Bronco and Bronco Sport

The Bronco is a very customizable vehicle. It is available with two or four doors, a hardtop or soft top, and removable body panels. These features allow our Webster City neighbors to enjoy the outdoors while adventuring in the new Ford Bronco. One difference between the two Bronco models is that the unibody Bronco Sport does not feature a removable roof or detachable doors.

When it comes to interior dimensions, the two vehicles do have several essential features in common, however. Ford understands that off-road enthusiasts need extra cargo space through truly secure storage options, which is why MOLLE webbing and zippered pockets are found on the seat backs in both models. That compliments both models' already ample cargo space, which is surprising given the Ford Bronco Sport’s dimensions. The full-size Bronco, of course, offers more incredible customizability, but Ford has an ever-growing library of OEM-approved parts for the Sport as well.

While various features can increase the cargo capacity of the Bronco and Bronco Sport, there is greater cargo capacity in the Bronco due to its larger size. The Bronco Sport dimensions are just smaller. While this does make parking more complicated, it is something to consider when deciding between the two vehicles. 

One of the best parts about all Broncos is the roomy back seats. This is found even on two-door Broncos and Bronco Sports, where backseat passengers have plenty of legroom. This is perfect for your next off-road excursion — what’s better than sharing your love for off-roading with friends and family?

Bronco and Bronco Sport: Drive Modes for Any Terrain

Both Broncos enjoy a four-wheel drive and Ford's GOAT (Goes Over Any Terrain type) driving calibration system. This automatically adjusts the engine response, transmission, differentials, and traction to deliver an exhilarating ride over rough terrain. Below are all the different drive modes the Ford’s GOAT system offers, some of which are found exclusively on higher trim levels.

Ford Bronco Terrain Management Drive Modes

Eco

Sport

Mud/Ruts

Slippery

Sand/Snow

Rock Crawl

Baja

Bronco and Bronco Sport: Safety Features

Ford is among the industry leaders in offering a variety of safety features on their vehicles, and the safety features are very similar between the Bronco and the Bronco Sport. More of these safety features are standard on the Bronco. Still, they’re all available on the Bronco Sport: If you were using available and standard safety features to decide between the two vehicles, it might be a good idea to look elsewhere. Some of the available and standard safety features for both the Bronco and Bronco Sport are listed below:

Adaptive cruise control

Automated emergency braking

Bblind-spot warning

Rear cross-traffic alert

Lane-keep assist

The Ultimate Decision: Hard-Core Off-Roading vs. An Adventurous Small SUV

With ample cargo space, excellent capabilities, plenty of room for you and your family, and power under the hood, it’s a difficult choice between the Ford Bronco and the Ford Bronco Sport. Ultimately it comes down to personal preference and personal needs. 

  The larger Bronco, the Ford Bronco, is designed to battle Jeep's Wrangler, a well-known name in off-roading. Webster City, IA, area drivers will be able to tackle truly intense trails in a Ford Bronco; they can take it just about anywhere. For its SUV size class, the Bronco Sport is also quite impressive. Few, if any, vehicles comparable to it feature the same suite of adventure-ready features and parts.

The Sport, of course, is less able to conquer the rugged terrain that some Iowa drivers enjoy than its big brother is. However, it’s far from an Escape crossover SUV. Depending on your capability level, there is definitely a version of the Bronco that is right for you and your family.

Fort Dodge Ford: Your Bronco Headquarters

We’re your source for all things Bronco in Fort Dodge, IA. Even if you’re interested in the souped-up, speedy Bronco Raptor, we’re here to help you get your hands on one. There’s no wrong choice between anything Bronco or any Ford SUV — our helpful staff is here to help you make the right choice for you and your family. Let our salespeople know if you’d like to begin receiving price alerts, and we can work something out. 

Fort Dodge Ford Lincoln Toyota is a full-service, family-friendly store. That's why we will work hand-in-hand with you to figure out exactly which version of the new Ford Bronco will best serve you and your loved ones — we’re not here just for Broncos; Fort Dodge Ford Lincoln Toyota is your place for all your cars for you and your family. We look forward to seeing you at our Fort Dodge, IA dealership soon.

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